According to Tutto Mercato Web, the Turin giants are determined to land a playmaker before next season and have earmarked Mata as a potential candidate to fill the role.

Any deal hinges on United’s own plans for the summer window. Mata’s recent resurgence under boss Louis van Gaal could make a switch to Italy more difficult to achieve, and his brace in the 2-1 win at bitter rivals Liverpool saw his stock rise among Red Devils supporters.

He made a slow start to life at Old Trafford after arriving from Chelsea in January 2014, just months before David Moyes was sacked as manager. Mata was in and out of the side earlier this term under van Gaal, but has established himself in the second half of the campaign.

Should the Spain international prove to be out of reach, Juventus are said to be planning to turn their attention to Borussia Dortmund schemer Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Dortmund’s torrid season in the Bundesliga and exit from the Champions League could see several key members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad depart in the coming months, and the Italians are weighing up the idea of testing his club’s resolve with a sizeable bid.

Juventus are currently 14 points clear of second-placed Roma at the top of Serie A.